The question that has been burning on the minds of Calgary Flames fans since the offseason began is not if a significant move is coming, but when, and who it will involve. All signs are pointing towards veteran defenseman Rasmus Andersson, the undisputed top trade chip in General Manager Craig Conroy’s arsenal. As the NHL draft weekend on June 27-28 approaches, a notorious hotbed for league-altering deals, the rumor mill surrounding Andersson is reaching a fever pitch.
The core of the issue is Andersson’s contract status. The 28-year-old right-shot blueliner is entering the final year of a team-friendly six-year, $27.3 million contract ($4.55 million AAV). He’s eligible to sign an extension on July 1st, but reports suggest the two sides are currently far apart on what a new deal would look like. It’s rumored that Andersson is seeking a long-term extension in the neighborhood of $7-8 million per season, a significant raise that a rebuilding Flames team may be hesitant to commit to. This has put Conroy in a position where he must weigh the value of keeping his alternate captain against the potential haul he could receive in a trade.
Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon has identified five teams as prime destinations for Andersson, each with a compelling reason to make a bold move for a top-pairing defenseman. Let’s break down the potential suitors and why a deal could make sense.
The Five-Team Race for Rasmus Andersson
The Buffalo Sabres are desperate to end their lengthy playoff drought and have a glaring need for a top-four, right-shot defenseman to partner with either Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power. With a wealth of young prospects and draft capital, including a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft, the Sabres have the assets to make an attractive offer. A deal centered around a high draft pick and a promising young player could be a win-win for both clubs.
The Carolina Hurricanes are in “win-now” mode and are always looking to bolster their defensive corps. While they have a solid blue line, the potential departure of some of their pending free agents could open up a spot for a player of Andersson’s caliber. The Hurricanes have a deep prospect pool and are not shy about making aggressive trades to put them over the top.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a constant state of re-evaluation, and their need for a top-pairing, right-shot defenseman is well-documented. A reunion with former Flames GM Brad Treliving, who originally signed Andersson to his current contract, makes a lot of sense. The Leafs have the offensive firepower, but a steady, minute-munching defenseman like Andersson could be the missing piece to their puzzle.
The Dallas Stars, fresh off another deep playoff run, will be looking to retool for another shot at the Stanley Cup. They have a Norris-caliber defenseman in Miro Heiskanen but could use another top-flight righty to balance out their top four. The Stars may need to get creative with the salary cap, but their desire to win now could make them a serious player in the Andersson sweepstakes.
Finally, the Montreal Canadiens are just coming off a rebuild but have signaled a desire to start adding impactful veterans to their young core. With a surplus of promising young defensemen and a treasure trove of draft picks, the Canadiens have the assets to make a compelling offer. Acquiring a player like Andersson could accelerate their timeline and provide a much-needed veteran presence on the back end.
The Conroy Factor and What a Trade Could Look Like
Craig Conroy has already established a clear pattern in his short time as the Flames’ GM: he’s not afraid to make bold moves to accumulate future assets. His trades involving Tyler Toffoli, Elias Lindholm, and Noah Hanifin all brought back a combination of young roster players and high draft picks. It’s safe to assume that any potential trade for Andersson would follow a similar template.
A likely return for a player of Andersson’s age, skill set, and manageable cap hit would be a first-round draft pick, and a top prospect. The draft weekend provides the perfect storm for a deal of this magnitude to come to fruition, as teams with high picks may be more willing to part with them for a proven NHL talent.
While the possibility of an extension for Andersson remains on the table after July 1st, the writing on the wall seems to indicate that a trade is the more probable outcome. As the draft approaches, expect the Rasmus Andersson rumors to only intensify, with these five teams at the forefront of the conversation.
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